Pala Gianni Asti was a party on 11 March as over 200 children from seven area schools gathered for Special Olympics Young Athletes. Young Athletes is an early childhood play program for children with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 2 to 7 years old. Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills, like running, kicking and throwing.
Through Young Athletes, families, teachers, caregivers, and people from the community have the chance to share the joy of sports with all children and witness the impact of inclusion firsthand.
In Pala Gianni Asti, excitement filled the air as the Young Athletes made their grand entrance, parading around the arena with their classes and participating in a flash mob dance performance before moving through 10+ interactive sports stations.
Whether it was their first time participating in Young Athletes or they were already familiar with the program, everyone involved—teachers, students, volunteers, and families—was touched by the event. “This experience is very, very beautiful,” said one local schoolteacher, “because at the center of this experience is inclusion.”
Gilmour Borg, a Sargent Shriver Global Messenger (SSGM) and Young Athletes volunteer, echoed that same sentiment, highlighting the importance of allowing all children the opportunity to play with and learn from one another.
“The secret of inclusivity is to start at a young age,” Gilmour said. “We make sure that they have fun, but there’s also a teachable moment for all of them,” he added. “We’re teaching them life skills.”
SSGM Susan Wang, a first-time Young Athletes volunteer, was all smiles as she moved through the stations with the Young Athletes. When asked what her favorite part of the experience was, she shared, “getting to see the children having so much fun!”
Beyond Pala Gianni Asti, the Young Athletes celebration continued, as 20 schools across Italy, with over 2,000 additional athletes, participated virtually. Whether in person or virtual, the Young Athletes filled the city of Turin with joy, a testament to the remarkable power of sport and inclusivity at all ages.
